notes on Rules For Prepositions based on the classification by Unacademy

Introduction of preposition

A preposition establishes the link between two or more nouns, noun phrases, or verbs in a sentence. They are usually placed immediately before nouns. In some instances, prepositions can be encountered in front of gerund verbs (verbs as nouns that name an act rather than a person or thing). Prepositions can be thought of as words that help bind a sentence together.

Remember that, unlike verbs and nouns, prepositions are considered a ‘closed class of words in the English language. This means that no new words are introduced to this category over time.

Transition words, conjunctions, and linking words, in general, have some overlap. The primary function is to establish a link in time or space. As a result, unlike other “little words,” they are not a matter of choice but rather a must.

Preposition examples sentences

Consider how substituting various or even different types of prepositions for the examples might alter the connection between the rest of the words in the phrase as you read.

To go onto the roof, he climbed up the ladder.
Descend the stairwell and enter through the front door.
He swam from one end of the pool to the other.

Types of prepositions

Prepositions of Various Types. Simple prepositions, compound prepositions, and complex prepositions are the three types of prepositions that are commonly used.

Simple Prepositions: in, on, of, at, from, among, between, over, with, through, and without are the most common prepositions.
Compound Prepositions: These are usually two prepositions combined into one; examples include: into, onto/on to (on to is British English, onto is American English), and out of.
Complex prepositions: These are two or three-word phrases that function similarly to simple prepositions, such as according to, as well as, except for, in favor of, and so on.

Preposition rules list based on classification

Time placement (temporal), e.g., in, on, at, etc.; They are mostly used to show when something occurred, is, or will happen. However, because there are so many different prepositions to choose from, it can be a little perplexing.

Place (spatial) preposition, e.g., in, on, at, etc.;The position of a person or thing in relation to another is described by prepositions of place.

The following are the guidelines:

When we’re talking about something with a surface, we say on:

e.g., The painting is framed and hung on the wall.

When we refer to something inside or within constrained borders, we use the word in. Anything, including a country, might be this:

e.g., Sonal is visiting his aunt in the hospital in France.

When referring to anything at a specific location, the word at is used.

e.g., The girls are at the movie theater’s entrance.

Directional prepositions include to, towards, into, through, and so o; They essentially depict the movement of something or someone from a location to another. The most common preposition of movement is to, which indicates that something is moving towards a specified goal.

e.g., On its journey to the airport, the automobile passed through the tunnel.

Prepositions for devices, instruments, and machines, such as on, by, with, and others, as well as numerous semantic functions, such as of, for, and others.

e.g., Rakesh is cutting the pine with his electric saw.

Measurement prepositions: They are used to express the amount of something with someone or something. They include the words by and of.

e.g., a fabric shop may sell material by the meter.

Source prepositions: They denote that something or someone came from something or someone. For example: from, by

e.g., this note was written by my sister

Possession prepositions: denote that something or someone is owned by someone or something. For example: of, with, and to

e.g., this is the property of my late uncle.

Significant characteristics

In the objective situation, prepositions govern nouns and pronouns, such as In School, against us.
Sometimes the preposition is removed from the relative it rules, as in Whom shall I give it to? rather than “To whom shall I donate it?” It’s best to put it next to the term governed.
A preposition is frequently used as a prefix before a verb, such as connect, and occasionally after verbs, such as, He will write to him and write about it.
In most cases, a preposition comes before the word or pronoun it regulates.

Prepositions rules list that are frequently misused

Because of slang and the overall informality of conversation, prepositions can be easily misunderstood.

Commonly misunderstood prepositions:

Besides, besides ; Besides denotes in addition to, whereas beside means next to.

For example- The mirror is beside the brush.

2. Between, among; among is used when there are just two objects involved, between is preferred when there are three or more, among is preferred.

For example- He’s among friends, between you and me.

Due to; should not be used as a preposition, it means because of.

For example- We were all ticketed because of (not due of) his speeding.

Inside of; The of is always superfluous.

For example- Stay inside the house.

Exception

The terms till, until, and since have been classed as prepositions by certain grammarians; nevertheless, this classification is unphilosophical; they should be regarded as conjunctions.